After the purchase...Minor mods

First, I own two Tacomas. Just bought a 2015. So far, I like...minor issues, which I never saw in my Japanese-assembled cars and trucks...but so far, okay.

The Tacoma is a more-or-less stripper. Doesn't have much beyond an automatic transmission. Three things I want: Cruise Control; an outdoor thermometer; and Intermittent Wipers.

I can live without the wipers. That's for another day.

Cruise Control: Any advice on the best cost-effective unit? The tendency is to go to the stealership and buy one...I can hear the jingle of the cash registers. Gotta be a better way.

Thermometers? I traded in an unsaleable Yaris for this truck; and one thing I liked and needed on it was the outdoor thermometer. Helpful, in my area, with mountain passes...know the temperature and when the slush might start freezing up. A Google-Boogle search doesn't yield much. Good outdoor wireless sensors which work well on the truck?

 

Your truck didn't come with Cruise Control ? The truck doesn't have intermittent Wipers ?
Also your i thought that your radio would tell you the outside temperature. I pretty sure the 12 models had the temperature in the mirror. The 11's and under had the thermometer on the roof where the sun glasses holders are now, but i thought that the 13-15's had the temp in the radio?

 

The '15's don't have the temp on the radio. They have a weather app that works off of HD radio which pretty much sucks in my area and doesn't give an actual outside temp.

 

That is ridiculous. It seems some years they take huge step forwards but then in their next years they forget those steps that made the others so successful

 

Outside temp solutions...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/307389-option-adding-temp.html

Or...Just another option...

If you get an ultra gauge or scangauge or other such monitor that reads intake air temps...

The intake temp is normally within a couple degrees of ambient

Or...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...doesnt-have-outside-temp-what-my-options.html

 

That's what I thought. All this digital garbage, SO easy to just put a thermometer program in there.. There's engine controls already monitoring the temperature; just have a readout.

BUT...mine was a loss leader. I got the deal I got because they were hepped on moving it off the lot.

In many ways that's OK. I don't want much of the garbage they're charging for. But I found that thermometer really handy in winter weather.

 

Base model

 

Inexpensive indoor/outdoor thermometers with wireless remotes are available at many stores. The one I have cost $10 at Wal Mart and I just replace the batteries every six months. I mounted the remote transmitter in a sheltered place in a door jamb with Velcro and similarly mounted the display up by the mirror, There are more expensive and elegant solutions, but I don't need anything else.

 

Those are probably my two biggest complaints about the truck:

- no outside temp gauge (HD weather sucks and is not accurate)
- no clock. The damn manual even shows the clock and how to set it, but it ain't there.

 

Well, well.

Thinking outside the box can pay. I went to Wally World, found a wireless Accu-Rite indoor-outdoor thermometer for under ten bucks.

Put the outdoor sensor into one of those cubbies in the bed-liner that's in there. Duct-taped it to the door of the cubby to keep it from bouncing about. A bit of two-sided adhesive tape, stuck the head unit to the dash...and there we are!

Now all I need is a good cruise control.

 

I punch my Entune in the dick everytime I get in the truck.